Journal Gazette from Mattoon, Illinois • Page 18

THURSDAY, JANUARY 8, LIFESTYLES LEE PUBLICATIONS, INC. 'The Secret School' Chapter 1: Ida and Felix take a wild ride Editor's Note: The following Breakfast Serials story is a serialized novel that will be published weekly for 18 weeks. a cool spring morning in April 1925, Ida Bidson, 14, and Felix, her 7-year-old brother, drove to school. Ida, her brown hair braided and tied with faded blue ribbons, knelt on the torn seat of her family's battered Model Ford and gripped the steering wheel as she guided the car carefully along the narrow dirt road. Since she was only 4- foot-11 and unable to reach the pedals, it was Felix, on the floor of the car, who worked them.

"Brake!" Ida shouted as they swerved around a sharp bend. Felix used his right hand to push the brake pedal down. As Ida adjusted the throttle lever by the steering wheel, the car lurched, causing an old tin syrup can filled with lunch to bounce on the ragged seat cover. Behind them, dust twirled like a frayed rope, momentarily hiding the ring of snow -capped mountains that surrounded Elk Valley, Colo. "Where we at?" Felix called up.

Being hunched under the dashboard was very uncomfortable. "Where are we?" his older sister corrected. "And the answer is, close." As the car wheezed uphill, "The Secret School" A Breakfast Serials story Ida's eyes were fixed on the twisting ribbon of dirt road. They were approaching a steep curve, the last tricky place. Other kids might be on the road.

Sure enough, as they crested the hill, Ida caught sight of Tom Kohl and his younger sister, Mary, riding bareback on their mule, Ruckus. Tom, tall and skinny with flaxen hair, was Ida's best friend. Mary was in Felix's grade. Ida squeezed the horn bulb affixed to the side of the car. The horn sounded a goose like Honnnk! Honnnk! At the sound Ruckus gave a little buck.

Skillfully, Tom reined the mule to the side of the road, then swiveled around. Seeing Ida's car, he yelled, "Slow down!" "Who's there?" Felix asked from the floor. "Tom and Mary. Now pay attention. We're almost there." Felix worked the ENGAGEMENT Timothy Strohl and Michelle Graves CHARLESTON Mr.

and Mrs. Chuck Graves of Charleston announce the engagement of their daughter, Michelle Lynn, to Timothy Michael Strohl of Neoga. He is the son of Mr. and Mrs. Tim Strohl of Neoga.

The bride-elect, a 2002 graduate of Charleston High School, attended Lake Land College. She is employed by Stepping Stones Day Care. Her fiance, a 2001 graduate of Neoga High School, graduate from Lake Land College in 2003, with an associate degree in applied science. He is employed by Schilling Brothers John Deere. A July 17, 2004, wedding is planned.

NEW ARRIVAL Kendall Harminson Jeremy and Stacey Harminson of Lerna are parents of a daughter, Kendall Renee', born at 7:46 a.m. Dec. 15, 2003, at Sarah Bush Lincoln Health Center. Kendall weighed 8 pounds, 3 ounces and was 20 inches long. Her grandparents are Bill and Jean Ann Harminson of Sullivan and Phil and Char Anderson of Charleston.

The infant's great grandparents are Paul Ozier of Lovington. and Dorothy Honn of Charleston. She has one brother, Keegan, 21 months old. pedals furiously. With its motor backfiring, the car careened around the last bend, bringing Elk Valley's one-room schoolhouse into view.

The school was a squat, square building with a pitched roof and a small steeple at the south end. The painted but peeling white clapboard walls had three as she aimed the car toward its regular parking place. But another car one she didn't recognize was already there. Felix pressed the brake even as Ida grabbed the hand lever and pulled back. "We're here," she announced.

The Ford lurched to a halt next to the other car. The motor backfired, sputtered and died. Quickly, Ida untied the rope that held the door shut. It swung open. Felix grawled headfirst to the ground.

"I get awful cramped," he complained as he stretched. "Better than walking five miles," Ida reminded him as she got out and looked toward the school. Seated on the front porch of the school were four children of various ages and sizes: Herbert Bixler, Charley and Susie Spool, and Natasha Ashneski. As Ida and Felix approached, they all looked up. "I'm back!" Herbert shouted gleefully.

"And he's already tried tie my shoelaces together," Susie complained. Herbert, with his coal black hair and asly smile, was the school's mischiefmaker. Often absent, he claimed his father needed him on their farm. "Whose car is that?" Ida wanted to know. "Mr.

Jordan's," Natasha replied. She was a year younger than Ida. Mr. Jordan was the owneroperator of Wally's Mighty Fine Emporium, Elk Valley's feed and grocery store. He was also head of the school board.

"How come he's here?" Ida asked. Herbert shrugged. "I dunno." "Is Miss Fletcher here?" Felix asked. "Inside," Charley Spool assured them. Tom, who had just arrived, slid off Ruckus, then helped his sister down.

He tied the mule's reins to the rear bumper of the Bidsons' car. "What's Mr. Jordan's car doing here?" Tom called. "He come for inspection?" "No one knows," Ida replied. As she spoke, the schoolhouse door opened and Miss Fletcher appeared.

A slight, middle-aged woman with dark hair piled atop her head, she was dressed in a simple blue cotton dress. She had been the teacher for three years. Ida immediately noticed that Miss Fletcher was not smiling as she usually did when greeting her students each morning. "Children," the teacher said, "come in quickly, please. There's grave news to share." Looking anxiously at one another, the silent children filed into the one-room school.

windows on each side. Before the school stood a flagpole not far from the water pump and a rusty, lopsided teeter-totter. Beyond the school stood two privies, one for boys and one for girls. Behind them was a small, shallow pond. "Clutch to neutral and brake!" Ida shouted to Felix Next week: Chapter 2 The Grave News Husband's salon tan a sign he's cheating look EAR back for you ABBY: if you listed A sus- while clues to the Irish (13) morning Spring Leaves and the smelling returns house like in in have puter, (27) gone Works especially to bed.

long after hours you on pected your husband of being the evening smelling like weekends, but is never at unfaithful. I'd like to add to DEAR Speedstick. his desk to answer the that list: a bronzed body from ABBY (14) Becomes accusatory, phone. Then calls back later a tanning salon. asking if you are being true with a reason, such as, "I My husband, "Jerry," and I to him, usually out of guilt.

was working in the conferare called the "ideal" couple. (15) Raises hypothetical ence room where there is We're both a physically active ing. questions such as, "Do you more space." and in good condition. We've (2) Secretiveness. think it's possible to love (28) Has lots of "emer46 years.

(3) Unexplained more one person at a gency errands." Then comes been married than Jerry brings me coffee, absences. time?" home empty-handed, fruit and the newspaper in bed (4) Unfamiliar charges on (16) Buys himself new saying, "They didn't have every morning. credit card or phone bills. underwear. what I needed." He has also seduced, or (5) Hang-ups on (17) Insists that the child your (29) And the telltale sign tried to seduce, my sisters, home seat, toys, are kept out of closest friends and phone.

of his of a cheating spouse? some my More business car. (6) trips his Having to ask the question business associates. than usual. (18) Stops wearing in the first place. Listen to When I confront him, he (7) Stops confiding in wedding ring.

tells me that have a problem (19) Supposedly works a your you gut! or asking your advice. and that I need help not Sets lot of overtime, but it never in (8) up a new e-mail shows on the stub. What teens need to know him! I am therapy in order account and doesn't tell up pay decide what to do with the (20) Suddenly wants to about sex, drugs, AIDS, and to rest of life. you. try new love techniques.

getting along with peers and my (9) Mutual friends start Please print this list again (21) Has unexplained parents is in "What Every Teen for those who might have acting strangely toward scratches or bruises on his Should Know." To order, send missed it. SUSPICIOUS NO you. (They either knew neck or back. a business-size, self addressed MORE about the cheating or have (22) Has a sudden desire envelope, plus check or money DEAR SUSPICIOUS NO been told stories about what to be helpful with the laun- order for $5 (U.S. funds only) MORE: You are a strong a horrible wife or girlfriend dry.

to: Dear Abby, Teen Booklet, lady. I'm sure you'll make you are.) (23) Picks fights in order P.O. Box 447, Mount Morris, the right decisions about (10) to you to stomp out of the house. 61054-0447. (Postage is Refuses let your future.

I'm also take him to the airport (24) Shows a sudden included.) pleased you're getting pro- when he's leaving town. interest in a different type fessional support, because (11) Carries condoms of music. Dear Abby is written by therapy can be helpful even though you are on the (25) Has a sudden preoc- Jeanne Phillips and was foundregardless of age. pill. cupation with his appear- ed by her mother, Pauline And now, the list: (12) Deletes incoming ance.

Phillips. The column is distrib(1) A sudden change in phone numbers from caller (26) Spends an excessive uted by Universal Press manner of dress and groom- ID. amount of time on the com- Syndicate. FIVE GENERATIONS TIMES THREE SUBMITTED PHOTO Several members of the Bessie (Gray) Clark family recently gathered for this five-generation photo. Included in the photo are three different sets of five generations, one set from each of Clark's three children, making her the greatgreat-grandmother of four children.

Five generations in the Wanda Dirks family are represented by Dirks, great-grandmother; Cindy Mitchell, grandmother; Holly Kinkelaar, mother; and her children, Dillon and Emma. Five generations in the Mary Lou Haney family are represented by Haney, great grandmother; Janet Robison, grandmother; Mike Robison, father; and his son, Ethan. In the Charles Gray family, five generations are represented by Gray, great-grandfather; Marsha Hall, grandmother; Kenny Hall, father; and his daughter, Molly. Pictured from left to right are Charles Gray holding Molly Hall, Bessie (Gray) Clark, Dillon Kinkelaar, Wanda Dirks holding Emma Kinkelaar and Mary Lou Haney holdIng Ethan Robison. In the back row are Holly Kinkelaar, Cindy Mitchell, Kenny Hall, Marsha Hall, Mike Robison and Janet Robison.

SBLHC plans Career Night for area high school students All high school students ogy, respiratory therapy, surand parents are invited to gical technician, dietetics, come to Career Night from dental hygiene, physician 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. Jan. 29 and assistant, and health informatalk with school representa- tion management (coder). tives from throughout the Visiting schools include area. The event will be held Eastern Illinois University, in the Sarah Bush Lincoln Illinois State University, Lumpkin Family Center for Kankakee Community Health Education, located on College, Lake Land College, the north side of the health Lakeview College, Millikin center.

University, Parkland Representatives from col- College, Southern Illinois leges and universities from University Carbondale, throughout the state will pro- Southern Illinois University vide information on the fol- Edwardsville, and University lowing careers: registered of Illinois. nurse, licensed practical Students also may pick up nurse, certified nurse assis- information on SBL Guild tant, physical therapy assis- Scholarships. tant, occupational therapy For more information, call assistant, clinical laboratory SBL Human Resources at science, speech pathology, 258- or 348-2501, or call tollaudiology, ultrasound, 1 radiol- free (877) 794-5627 GOODWILL DONATIONS TODAY SATURDAY January 10th The Goodwill truck will be at the WAL-MART SUPER CENTER in Charleston today Saturday, January 10th. The truck will arrive on the Wal-Mart Super Center parking lot at 10:00 a.m. and will remain there until 2:00 p.m.

(or earlier, if truck becomes filled). Types of donations needed include clothing, toys, household items, tools, books, etc. Assistance will be provided in unloading items from your vehicle, and tax receipts will be provided for donations upon request. THANK YOU Your donations will help Wabash Valley Goodwill Industries to continue to provide jobs for persons with disabilities..